Chicago Area

Illinois Supreme Court Justice Mary Jane Theis has begun an application process for a judicial vacancy in the Fifth Judicial Subcircuit of Cook County. The vacancy is created by the retirement of the Hon. Edward Washington, II.

Under the Illinois Constitution, judicial vacancies are filled on an interim basis by supreme court appointment. Justice Theis will make recommendations to the supreme court after applicants undergo a screening and evaluation process.

That process will include an evaluation by the Alliance of Bar Associations, which is made up of 11 bar groups in the Cook County area, and the Chicago Bar Association. Further review will be conducted by a special judicial screening committee that Justice Theis established in 2013 and is co-chaired by retired U.S. District Court Judge Wayne R. Andersen and retired Illinois Appellate Court Judge Michael J. Gallagher.

To be eligible for consideration for appointment, the applicant must be a lawyer in good standing licensed to practice law in Illinois and a resident of the Fifth Subcircuit.

The deadline for submission of applications is 4 p.m. on Monday, July 17, 2017.

Notice of the vacancy and details of the application process are posted on the Illinois Supreme Court's website. From there, follow the instructions on the "Latest News" scroller announcing the Fifth Subcircuit vacancy.

Hon. Russell W. Hartigan, of Western Springs, arbitrator, lawyer, and retired Cook County judge, will be installed as president of the Illinois State Bar Association at the organization’s 141st Annual Meeting on Friday, June 16 at The Abbey Resort in Fontana, Wis.

During his year as president, Judge Hartigan will concentrate on several initiatives. He is dedicated to helping lawyers manage their practices. He will assist solo practitioners and small firms with succession planning through programming aimed at lawyers nearing retirement age to help them think about what’s next for their practices and clients. In addition, he plans to expand the association’s law firm management programming and resources, which includes launching the ISBA’s management and technology web portal, PracticeHQ.

To help the legal profession combat gun violence, Judge Hartigan will establish a blue-ribbon committee to recommend an appropriate role for the ISBA in educating others on and addressing the issue.

A third initiative will focus on new and young lawyers. He plans to address law student debt and practice-oriented training in law school by working with the ISBA Council of Illinois Law School Deans. He is also committed to recruiting young attorneys to ISBA membership.

Cynthia F. Tolan, a Morton Grove attorney with more than 15 years experience in estate and trust administration, estate planning, and elder law, has joined the ATG Trust Company as trust officer.

Most recently, Tolan worked closely with families, guiding them through the estate and trust administration process, as an attorney at Huck Bouma in Wheaton. She represented both fiduciaries and beneficiaries in the administration of decedent estates and trusts created for the ongoing benefit of beneficiaries. She also represented clients in initiating and managing guardianships for minor children and disabled adults.

As co-chair of the firm’s Elder Law Group, Tolan also advised on the proper planning to assist elder clients or family members in making health care decisions, dealing with guardianship, and protecting and preserving assets. She also has experience as in-house counsel for a real estate development company.

Tolan is a former Iowa assistant attorney general and worked as human rights officer for the Missouri Commission of Human Rights. She is a frequent speaker on issues relating to estate planning, powers of attorney, and transfers of assets at death. She has also been an instructor at Durham Technical Community College in the paralegal technology program, and an instructor of mock trial classes at St. Louis University.

As a member of the Oncology Council of Advisors at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital and Children’s Hospital, Tolan is helping to implement a cancer survivorship program.

Barry Locke passed away at his home in Oak Park, IL on June 9 at the age of 69 after a seven month battle with brain cancer. Barry is predeceased by his parents, Albert and Mildred (Rudman) Locke. Barry is survived by his loving wife Terry, daughters Alison (Mark) Segal, Melissa (Craig) Schulte, stepdaughter Elizabeth Anders, niece Magen Rooney and grandchildren Eric, Austin, Samantha, Bradford and Jessica.

Barry was born and raised in Philadelphia graduating from Temple University. He worked in the apparel and computer industries until 1991 when he graduated from John Marshall Law School. Since then he practiced law in Chicago and served as President of the West Suburban Bar Association.

A graveside service will be held at Montefiore Cemetery in Jenkintown, PA.

Barry asked that donations be made to the Family Assistance Fund of Northwestern Brain Tumor Institute. He saw many people struggle to get to and from treatments and to afford treatment. He was blessed and asks that his friends and family help those in need. http://foundation.nmh.org/nbtipaf

Karen Munoz has been promoted to a partner at Dolan Law Offices, a personal injury boutique firm. Ms. Munoz has been an attorney with Dolan Law since 2008. She will continue to represent and advocate for clients in the areas of wrongful death, personal injury and crime victim lawsuits.

ISBA member Christopher J. Maurer, associate attorney at Anderson & Associates, P.C., was elected treasurer of the DuPage Bar Foundation on May 23, 2017.

The DuPage Bar Foundation is the charitable division of the DuPage County Bar Association. It awards scholarships to law students, and it also awards grants to organizations, such as the Family Shelter Service and National Alliance on Mental Illness, which serves disadvantaged communities.

Earlier in May, Mr. Maurer also received the DuPage Legal Assistance Foundation’s Pro Bono Service Award at the DuPage Bar Association's Annual Law Day Luncheon. He is one of two attorneys to have received the award for volunteering over 100 hours of pro bono time representing low-income clients in the community.

Mr. Maurer has been a licensed and practicing attorney since 1997. He joined Anderson & Associates, P.C. in 2002, and he has extensive experience in family law, including divorce, custody/parenting disputes, grandparent rights, and complex financial litigation. He also has experience handling contested probate matters and preparing estate plans for his clients. Attorney Maurer is also a licensed and practicing mediator in family law cases, and he has been appointed by the courts to represent the rights of children as a guardian ad litem in contested cases involving minor children.

Learn advanced negotiation skills from a national expert and renowned instructor! You negotiate every day.In fact, your ability to effectively negotiate may be the most critical skill you possess, yet most negotiate instinctively or intuitively. This Master Series seminar on June 21, 2017, which takes place in Chicago or via live webcast, trains you to approach negotiations with a strategic mindset, allowing you to become a more effective lawyer. And make no mistake – no matter how much you’ve negotiated, you can still learn. Adding that one new tactic may be the difference between winning and walking away empty-handed. Topics include: the golden rules of negotiation; gaining leverage with alternatives; using objective criteria and timing to your advantage; techniques for gathering information; generating creative solutions; dealing with “negotiation games”; ethical considerations; and much more.

Jacqueline Pesenko focuses her practice in the areas of matrimonial and family law. She prosecutes cases on behalf of victims of violence, abuse, neglect, and felony crimes. She brings an extensive background in social work, psychology, and counseling services. Jacqueline received her bachelor's degree from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and her J.D. from DePaul University College of Law, where she earned a certificate in child and family law, the President’s Award for Service, and the Benjamin Hooks Distinguished Public Service Award.

The Kendall County State's Attorney's Office is seeking a full-time assistant state's attorney in its civil division. The position requires a civil litigation background, working knowledge of real estate closings and zoning issues, contract review experience, and excellent research and writing abilities. Minimum of two to five years of civil practice experience with prior government experience preferred.

Resumes and supporting documents should be received no later than June 15, 2017. Salary commensurate with experience.